Everyone's car insurance situation is different. A 17-year-old paying over £2,000 for their first policy faces a completely different challenge to a driver with 6 points trying to find affordable cover. Generic advice like "compare quotes" is true but it does not go far enough. What works for one driver might not help another at all.
This guide gives targeted advice for specific situations. Find the section that matches yours and follow the steps most likely to bring your costs down. For general tips that apply to everyone, our guide on how to lower your car insurance premium covers the universal strategies.
Young drivers aged 17-24 pay the highest car insurance premiums in the UK. This is because younger drivers are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents, particularly in their first two years of driving.
The most effective way to bring costs down as a young driver is to choose a car in a low insurance group. A group 1-5 car can cost hundreds less to insure than a group 15+ car for the same driver. Our guide on the cheapest cars to insure lists the best models for keeping premiums manageable.
Consider black box (telematics) insurance. A telematics policy monitors your driving and rewards safe behaviour with lower premiums. Many young drivers see meaningful savings by proving they drive responsibly. Adding an experienced named driver such as a parent can also help, as long as you are listed as the main driver if you drive the car most often.
For a detailed breakdown, our young drivers insurance guide covers everything you need to know about reducing costs as a younger driver.
New drivers of any age pay more because they have no claims history and limited driving experience. The good news is that this changes quickly - each claim-free year reduces your premium, with up to 60% discount available after five years.
Start by getting quotes for cars in lower insurance groups before you buy. The difference in premium between a group 2 car and a group 15 car can be dramatic for a new driver. Consider a telematics policy to build evidence of safe driving from day one. Compare quotes from multiple insurers, as some are more competitive for new drivers than others. Compare car insurance via Brumble to search across 130+ insurers and find the best deal for your experience level.
Our first car insurance guide has more advice specifically for people insuring a car for the first time.
At 17, you face the highest car insurance premiums of any age group. Your car choice makes the biggest difference at this age. A Hyundai i10 in insurance group 1 will cost a fraction of what a Ford Fiesta ST in group 30+ would cost to insure.
Telematics insurance is particularly valuable for 17 year olds. Because you have no driving record at all, a black box gives the insurer real evidence that you drive safely rather than relying purely on statistics about your age group. Some telematics insurers offer discounts after just a few months of safe driving data.
Being added as a named driver on a parent's policy is another option if you only need the car occasionally. This is significantly cheaper than having your own policy, though you will not build your own no claims bonus. If you do get your own policy, protect your no claims bonus from the start so you do not lose it if something goes wrong.
Not everyone wants a telematics device monitoring their driving. Some drivers dislike the idea of being tracked, while others worry about penalties for driving at night or covering high mileage. You can still find competitive car insurance without a black box.
Focus on the factors within your control: choose a car in a low insurance group, build your no claims bonus, park securely (a locked garage or private driveway is better than on-street parking), increase your voluntary excess to an amount you could afford, and compare quotes from as many insurers as possible. Our guide on how to lower your car insurance premium covers seven proven strategies that work whether or not you have a black box.
The key without telematics is to make yourself as low-risk as possible on paper. Accurate mileage declarations, secure parking, and a clean driving record all help bring costs down without needing a device in your car.
Having points on your licence makes insurance more expensive because it signals higher risk to insurers. However, the impact varies depending on the type and number of points. A single SP30 (speeding) conviction has less impact than an IN10 (uninsured driving) or a DR10 (drink driving).
| Conviction type | Impact on premium | How to minimise the cost |
|---|---|---|
| SP30 (speeding, 3 points) | Small increase | Compare widely - some insurers are more lenient on minor speeding convictions. Consider a speed awareness course if offered instead of points. |
| IN10 (uninsured driving, 6-8 points) | Significant increase | Specialist insurers may offer better rates than mainstream providers. Points expire after 4 years on your licence. |
| DR10 (drink driving, 3-11 points) | Major increase | You will likely need a specialist convicted driver insurer. Some mainstream comparison services do cover convicted drivers. |
| Multiple convictions | Cumulative increase | Each additional conviction pushes the premium up further. Focus on keeping a clean record going forward - points expire and premiums reduce over time. |
The most important thing is to declare all points honestly. Failing to declare convictions invalidates your policy entirely, which is far worse than paying a higher premium. Points stay on your licence for 4 years (11 years for drink driving) - as they expire, your premiums will come down.
If you do not declare points on your licence when getting a quote, your policy is invalid from day one. If you need to make a claim, your insurer will refuse to pay out, and you could face prosecution for driving without insurance. A higher premium with valid cover is always better than a lower premium with no cover at all.
Students face a double challenge: young age and often a term-time address in a higher-risk urban area. If your university is in a city centre, your postcode alone could add hundreds to your premium compared to your home address.
Consider whether you actually need the car at university. If you only drive during holidays, you could be a named driver on a parent's policy instead of having your own. If you do need your own car, make sure you declare the address where the car is kept most often - this must be accurate, even if your home address would give a cheaper quote.
Telematics insurance works well for students, especially if you do lower mileage and mostly drive during the day. Choosing a car in a low insurance group and parking securely (many university halls have car parks) also help. Our student car insurance page has more specific advice.
If you live in London, Manchester, Birmingham, or another urban area with high vehicle crime and accident rates, your postcode is pushing your premium up significantly. According to the WTW Car Insurance Price Index (March 2026), West Central London drivers pay an average of £1,349 compared to just £492 in the South West of England.
You cannot change where you live, but you can reduce the impact. Park off-street wherever possible - a private driveway or locked garage reduces theft risk and can lower your premium. Fit approved security like a Thatcham-certified alarm, immobiliser, or GPS tracker. Choose a car that is less attractive to thieves - smaller, less powerful cars in lower insurance groups are less likely to be targeted.
Different insurers assess postcode risk differently, so comparing quotes is especially important in high-premium areas. Two insurers might quote prices hundreds of pounds apart for the exact same address. Our postcode and car insurance costs guide has the full regional breakdown and more tips for reducing location-based costs.
If your car is worth less than £1,000, you might wonder whether fully comprehensive cover is worth it. After all, the most your insurer would pay out for a write-off is the car's market value, which might be less than your excess.
However, do not assume that third party insurance is automatically cheaper. Comprehensive cover is often the same price or even less than third party only, because insurers view drivers who choose comprehensive as lower risk. Always compare quotes for both cover types before deciding.
For older cars, the priority is getting the right level of cover at the best available price. Compare quotes from multiple insurers, make sure your mileage declaration is accurate, and check that you are not paying for add-ons you do not need.
Whatever your situation, comparing quotes from multiple insurers is the single most effective thing you can do. Every insurer calculates risk differently, so the cheapest provider for one driver might be the most expensive for another. Compare car insurance via Brumble to search across 130+ insurers and find the best deal for your specific circumstances.
Choose a car in a low insurance group (groups 1-5 are cheapest), consider telematics or black box insurance to prove you drive safely, add an experienced named driver to your policy, increase your voluntary excess, and compare quotes from multiple insurers. Our first car insurance guide has more detail.
Yes. While telematics can reduce premiums, it is not the only way. Focus on choosing a low insurance group car, building your no claims bonus, parking securely, increasing your voluntary excess, and comparing quotes widely. These strategies work regardless of whether you have a black box fitted.
Car insurance for 17 year olds is the most expensive of any age group. The exact cost depends on your car, location, and chosen policy, but choosing a car in insurance group 1-5 and opting for telematics insurance are the most effective ways to keep costs manageable at this age.
Yes. Points increase your premium because they indicate higher risk to insurers. The impact depends on the type and number of points - a single speeding conviction has less effect than a drink driving conviction. Always declare points honestly, as failing to do so invalidates your policy entirely.
Yes, it is the single most effective way to find a better deal. Every insurer calculates risk differently, so the same driver can be quoted very different prices by different companies. Comparing around 21 days before your renewal date tends to give the best results.
Students can reduce costs by choosing a car in a low insurance group, using telematics insurance, parking securely at their university or term-time address, and being honest about mileage. If you only drive during holidays, being a named driver on a parent's policy may be cheaper than having your own.
London has the highest car insurance premiums in the UK due to high traffic density, elevated vehicle crime rates, expensive vehicles, and a higher volume of claims. West Central London drivers pay an average of £1,349 compared to £492 in the South West of England (WTW, March 2026). Our postcode costs guide explains what drives regional differences.
Use a comparison service that searches across a wide panel of insurers. Enter your details once and see quotes side by side. Do not just look at the headline price - check the level of cover, the excess amount, and what is included. Compare car insurance via Brumble to search across 130+ UK insurers.
Association of British Insurers - Motor Insurance Premium Tracker, Q1 2026
WTW / Confused.com Car Insurance Price Index - March 2026, regional premium data
Financial Conduct Authority - General Insurance Pricing Practices evaluation
Head to the home page to compare quotes for car, van or motorbike insurance.
Compare QuotesGet the latest guides and motoring tips straight to your inbox.
EV Zone
